As part of a negotiated plea deal, Northampton County Judge Michael Koury sentenced David Bechtold to one to two years in Northampton County Prison followed by five years' probation. Bechtold was first arrested June 23, 2012, and could be released any time.

He remained late this afternoon in the Easton prison.

Assistant District Attorney Patricia Fuentes Mulqueen said she and District Attorney John Morganelli agreed to offer the deal after considering Bechtold's cooperation in the investigation of the Jan. 15, 2012, robbery of Carrie Smith. His testimony is the only reason they were able to convict his co-conspirators in the robbery, she said.

"We could not have even brought these charges against Rebecca Johnson and Rogel Suero had David Bechtold not cooperated and testified against them," Mulqueen said.

Bechtold, who turns 20 Wednesday, did not speak during the hearing except to answer basic questions from Koury. Defense attorney Dwight Danser and Bechtold's mother declined to comment after the hearing.

Bechtold's star turn in their November trial resulted in life sentences for Johnson and Suero. Bechtold testified Johnson, Smith's granddaughter and his cousin, plotted to steal $35,000 from her safe. He drove Suero and an unidentified man to Smith's Hillside Avenue home, where they used a key to get in, then woke the sleeping woman and forced her at gunpoint to open the safe, police said.

Smith dialed 911 after the two thieves left, but suffered a heart attack hours later. She died two months later of complications from the heart attack. During the investigation into the robbery, Bechtold admitted to police what happened, and he, Suero and Johnson were arrested. Unlike Suero and Johnson, Bechtold was never charged with murder.

Mulqueen said Bechtold, who at first lied to police about his involvement, has expressed genuine remorse for his actions. During Johnson's trial, Mulqueen portrayed Bechtold as being easily manipulated by the calculating Johnson.

The plea deal was approved by Smith's survivors, including Tanya Brown, the granddaughter she raised. Brown attended the hearing and thanked Bechtold for stepping forward, but told him he was also to blame for her grandmother's death.

Brown reminded Bechtold he twice willingly drove to Smith's home to steal from her, once on Jan. 15 and again a few weeks earlier. The first burglary attempt was called off after Smith was unexpectedly at home, but he agreed to go back, all for the promise of $1,000, she said. Bechtold spent the money on marijuana, cigarettes and Monster energy drinks, he testified at trial.

Since Smith's death, Bechtold's life was threatened in prison and he missed the birth of his daughter.

"Was it worth it? I don't think it was," Brown said. "I just wish you would have come to the police prior to this horrific event. If you had, my grandmother may still be here today."

Mulqueen said the investigation into the fourth suspect is ongoing. As a condition of the plea, Bechtold must continue to cooperate with prosecutors in that case, she said.